Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the NHL Network today that he believes that the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward William Nylander are at a standstill in their contract negotiations. He goes on to say that he doesn’t think a contract will get done anytime soon unless one of the sides budges dramatically from their position. Friedman’s belief is that Nylander doesn’t want to take a discount to remain with the Maple Leafs if their other top-end players aren’t willing to take one too.
It’s hard to fault Nylander’s logic, he has been playing on a contract well under his market value for a half-decade while several of his teammates have been collecting annual salaries north of $10MM. Chris Johnston reported weeks ago on the Chris Johnston show that Nylander’s ask on his next contract is an annual salary of around $10MM, while the Maple Leafs are countering with an extension offering him between $8MM and $9MM per year. Given the way things are going, it appears that Auston Matthews next contract could be a big factor in whether the Leafs can lock up Nylander to a long-term extension.
Should the Maple Leafs opt to dangle Nylander in the trade market there would be a long lineup of suitors for the 27-year-old. Nylander is coming off back-to-back 80+ point seasons and has become much more responsible with the puck as his career has gone on. He is no longer regarded as a turnover machine as he might have been in earlier parts of his career.
In other Maple Leafs notes:
- Speaking of Auston Matthews, Elliotte Friedman had a small update on the Maple Leafs star forward. Friedman told the NHL Network that he believes Matthews will sign an extension very soon that will be between three and five years. While it’s hardly a surprise to hear that Matthews is once again looking at signing a shorter-term deal in hopes of maximizing his earning potential, it is surprising to hear that Matthews would consider a five-year contract that would take him through most of his prime and into his early 30s. Even at 31 Matthews will likely be able to fetch a lucrative long-term deal, but he may not be able to command as much money as he could as a 29-year-old hitting free agency.
- Friedman also reported that he believes that the Maple Leafs don’t want to go beyond a three-year extension with restricted free-agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov. The Maple Leafs and Samsonov are expected to go to arbitration on July 21, meaning that arbitration numbers will be exchanged tomorrow morning. The 26-year-old netminder was terrific in his first season with Toronto posting a .919 save percentage to go along with a 2.33 goals-against average and a 27-10-5 record. The Maple Leafs are currently over the salary cap meaning that they will need to shuffle around money to fit in Samsonov’s new deal when it is completed.
If they traded Nylander, they could actually afford a third line that actually does something.
My thoughts, too, Rich. Need to move Nylander and spread the wealth. No offence to Nylander intended, but this seems like a potential solution more than a problem.
One thing we’ve seen in the last five years is the third line decimated after the Cup win, because third lines get that one deciding goal per game. First two lines and the fourth are roughly equal. Look at Tampa Bay after the Cup – Ondrej Palat, Ryan McDonagh, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. Same with the Pens. Why Toronto needs so many superstars is beyond me …
In my opinion Toronto thinks they need so many superstars because they are the NYC of Canada. Plus Brendan Shanahan has played much of his career in Detroit with alot of superstars.
Interesting how none of the Leafs drafted stars ever seem to take max term deals. Why help the team out ever, I guess. I would also say that Nylander is still a turnover machine, but now it’s in a good way. If I was Willy, I would wait to see what Matthews takes first. Matthews and Marner need to eat it a bit this time around. For the team!!!
Pemchanko – just wondering if you would help out your current employer by taking a hometown discount? To ‘help the team’
Matt and Mitch deserve whatever they are offered on the open market.
I don’t think that’s comparable. Me taking a paycut at my job doesn’t mean I have a chance of winning anything nevermind the ultimate goal of my profession. Because I domt have a ultimate goal other then to support my family.
However in hockey they are taking a discount to achieve a personal goal (at least it should be) so although I get what you are saying I just don’t think the 2 situations are relatable
Future headline- Nylander traded.
A long line of suitors? Hrm. How many teams are in a position to take a $10 MM contract on, short of a money-out/money-in deal? And how many spare picks does Toronto have laying around to bribe Arizona or Anaheim for a third-party half salary retention? Certainly a lot of teams would WANT Nylander, but that’s a long ways away from being able to afford him.
Trang… he’s not making 10 this year. he’s making $6.9M
Arizona
If we traded Willie I think the leafs would be taking a player back who has a 4-5 mil salary so it’s more of a oen for deal, you would need to get someone who could fill the 2nd line hole from losing Willie.
Yeah, but if I pay a huge bundle for him, I’m going to want to be able to resign him, aren’t I? And if I can’t afford the extension he wants?
That could be a risk worth taking, if it becomes clear Nylander isn’t going to budge from 10 million per then you can look to trade for someone who has term or is looking to re-sign here.
@ justadaysfan: and how easy has it been for San Jose to move Karlsson, for instance?
There shouldn’t be anyone following the NHL right now who’s unaware of the fact that these huge contracts are millstones around a team’s neck. They’re tolerable if the player keeps up with elite play, and weigh down the lineup even so.
And if there was any sign that Nylander was likely to budge from $10 MM, wouldn’t Toronto just keep him?
Willie isn’t going to budge from 10 that’s the point, if he is willing to drop to 9 which is what they want to pay they would re-sign him.
As for Karlsson he’s a dman who doesn’t play defense coming off a great season after not so great seasons 3 years in a row, he’s a huge gamble at 11 million so that’s a completely different convo. Paying 11 million having no idea what player you are getting back is not the same as trading for a player at 6.9 million coming off back to back 80 pt seasons and trending up.
Whether they are millstones or not, elite players cost elite level money so if you want them you have to pay. Come on Nah , not sure what I said that is so wrong here my guy? Should we let Willie walk for nothing if we don’t want to pay 10mil a year for him?
If Matthews does not sign for more than 3 years keep Nylander and ship out Matthews now..Matthews to self centered and worth alot now in a trade. Plus not worth 13 or 14 million a year but what player is…
Mcdavid. But thats about it
As of next season when the cap goes up 14-15 mil will be the same percentage of salary as what he’s getting now. It’s not unreasonable to expect that salary for one of the leagues best players
What information do you have that the cap’s going up that much? Or is it wishful thinking?
Just rumors no insider info lol Just estimating it will continue to go up around 4 mil per season for the next few seasons.
It may look like I typed the cap will go up 14-15 million but I meant that 14-15 million will be the salary for the top players in the next few seasons
Mm. May well be. We’ll see.
giom78 in one way yes nylander is being a b**tch about it. But in anthour way if you look at his production the last 2 yrs he’s been under paid. so he is right. why take a discount and help the team if Auston,Johnny,mitch and mogan ain’t willing to do it. on a side not johnny 204 pts past 2 yrs making 11 mi, willy 209 making 7 mil
Morgan DID leave some money on the table, but I don’t see it as the beginning of a trend……